Guided tours of the Espiguette lighthouse in Grau-du-Roi: an enlightening journey through time and the elements

A footbridge. On the left, the immense Espiguette beach; straight ahead, the lighthouse recognizable by its square shape and black color. – Barbara Vialan

The Espiguette lighthouse has been lighting the coast and guiding sailors for over 150 years. – Barbara Vialan

La lanterne du Phare de l’Espiguette produit 3 éclats en 12 secondes d’une portée de 24 miles (presque 39 km). – Barbara Vialan

The Espiguette lighthouse, reopened a year ago after major renovation work, attracts a wide audience with its guided tours and immersive experiences. The renovations have modernized the site while preserving its historical charm. Locals and vacationers, young and old, discover the fascinating history of the lighthouse, take part in sunrise events or the changing of the lighthouse in the evening, all while enjoying a tasting of local products.

It is a little after 7 o'clock in the morning and the very light sea wind at the beginning of August barely touches the still sleepy dunes of Espiguette in Grau-du-Roi. On the horizon, the familiar silhouette of the lighthouse stands, no longer simply as a guardian of the seas, but as a destination of discovery. Since its reopening to the public after major renovation work at the end of June 2023, the Espiguette lighthouse has once again attracted the curious and nature lovers.

In the early morning

Indeed, over the past year, the lighthouse has welcomed a good number of visitors: in July, 2,347 people entered its doors. And this influx is not due to chance. Rather to a program imagined and orchestrated by Florine Escot, site manager, and her team. “We want to offer a total experience for all audiences, that our visitors explore not only the fascinating history of this monument, but also its technique and its unique environment, and much more.”

The “Matinales du phare”, for example, invites everyone to reconnect with their senses while facing a breathtaking panorama. Claude came from Perpignan after reading an article in Le Monde, and she was captivated by this rather unusual morning. “It was very interesting, between the history, the technology, the perceptions, the fauna, the flora… And the breakfast with local products was a treat" , she says. She still describes the tranquility of the morning, when the holidaymakers are not yet spread out over the 12 km of beach. "It was magical to see the dunes and all of Espiguette in such a… raw way."

At the top of the Espiguette Lighthouse, the beach and its dunes can be seen.

So the curious don't just climb the spiral staircase to the top. The program includes themed activities, temporary exhibitions and even yoga sessions in the heart of nature, where participants stretch slowly under the benevolent gaze of the lighthouse. Events like “La Relève du soir” captivate the youngest and their elders, who dive into the daily life of lighthouse keepers in just a few steps, on sunny days when you can see the Sète peninsula and on stormy nights when the elements rage force the keepers to huddle up on the tiny first floor, while the din resonates between the walls of this square tower.

A place that's alive all year round

The lighthouse does not only live from the summer solstice to the eve of the start of the school year. Thanks to dynamic meetings with schools and businesses, it remains active throughout the year. The spring months, especially April, see record attendance, even surpassing the summer. Schoolchildren come to discover a part of their local heritage while businesses take advantage of the exceptional setting for seminars and other meetings. And the Graulens, just like their neighbors from Aigues-Mortais or the surrounding area, visit, sometimes for the first time, this lighthouse that they have seen, since they were very young, rising above the tops of the pine trees.

111 steps to climb at the Espiguette Lighthouse.
One year since its reopening and activities already well in place. This is just the beginning for Florine Escot. In September, heritage days will kick off the back-to-school activities; At the end of September, evenings will be devoted to stargazing, while Wednesdays of All Saints' Day will give way to the Captain's Thousand and One Tales where young ears will be able to listen with fascination to the stories of boats and lighthouses. ; then, for those who are not afraid of anything, Halloween with its frightening legends of shipwrecks and guardians gone mad will make some tremble. But, until then, the site is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Information www.phare-espiguette.fr

Guided tours and activities

The Espiguette lighthouse offers several tour options with online booking recommended (www.phare-espiguette.fr). For the visit of the lighthouse and the museum, the prices are 9.50 euros per adult (from 13 years old), 7 euros for reduced rates, and free for children under 6 years old. A family pack for two adults and two children (from 6 to 12 years old) is available at 28 euros. Entrance to the museum alone costs 6 euros. Visits to both lighthouses are at the full price of 10.50 euros and at the reduced price of 8 euros. Thematic tours are also offered, such as “Les matinales du phare” (from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.) at 19 euros for adults and 10 euros for children, available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during the summer holidays or “Les relais du soir" (from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.) at 29 euros per adult and 15 € per child (free for children under 6) or the Walking-Yoga session at the single price of 20 €. Heritage Days are free to enter but remember to book.

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